learning to weld

[marty_t3]

Ok...i wanna learn teach myself to weld (well, with the aid of my father in law).

What kit do i need to start off with.... don't wanna part with a lot of cash cuz it's just for me to ar5e around with just now. Bearing in mind that anything i do attempt to weld will probably be a body part of a 200.

[Nathan_200sx]

Originally posted by marty_t3
Ok...i wanna learn teach myself to weld (well, with the aid of my father in law).

What kit do i need to start off with.... don't wanna part with a lot of cash cuz it's just for me to ar5e around with just now. Bearing in mind that anything i do attempt to weld will probably be a body part of a 200.

Mid range mig welder and a load of scrap metel to practice on (which is fun, and you end up with loads of "modern art")

Screwfix do a nice gas one for 139.99 rated at 55-80 amps so it should keep you happy for a while.

[Nathan_200sx]

sorry forgot to add that dont skimp on a mask, arc eye isnt funny

[StuyMac]

Originally posted by Nathan_200sx
sorry forgot to add that dont skimp on a mask, arc eye isnt funny

Had one of my mates in tears once ;) NOW THAT WAS FUNNY :D :D

[marty_t3]

Whats the difference between gas and gasless arc welders?? Is either one easier to use?? I had a look at a few and the gasless/flux core ones seem cheaper...i take it there is a benefit from using a gas mig?

[Jezz_S13]

The benefit is the wire is about 8 times cheaper for the gas welder.

I bought a 150 AMP GAS MIG job about this time last year, it's fecking hard work, So Chris uses it for me on body work. :D He's very good you know. :)

I just make big holes and blobs everywhere, IE modern art.

[marty_t3]

I have a feeling i'll be using a lot of scrap metal before i go anywhere near the car :D

[barryjdart]

Have a look at Frost Auto Restoration Techniques Ltd. You need a low amperage for bodywok.

www.frost.co.uk (http://)

[dobergoose]

Originally posted by marty_t3
Whats the difference between gas and gasless arc welders?? Is either one easier to use?? I had a look at a few and the gasless/flux core ones seem cheaper...i take it there is a benefit from using a gas mig?

Arc welders are a little to quick for thin stuff, cause alot of warping.
Don't get a gasless mig, I've heard that they are no much cop and jam the wire alot.
Oh and get argo sheild or some gas like that, the co2 ones are a bit naff.
I'm wanting to buy a tig machine but I cant afford one that'll do alloy so I'm not sure what to do.
Mig is by far the easiest to use, if its thin metal do an inch at most at a time letting it cool before welding the same area again to prevent warping.
I got an HNC in welding but hadnt done any for 6 years until recently, I was utter shit:rolleyes:

[marty_t3]

I had a look at the Frost catalogue (happen to have a few lying around) and the website.... the only welder they have advertised at the mo is this one (http://www.frost.co.uk/acatalog/Index_Welding_26.html). It doesn't mention gas though.

[NWS25]

Monkeys can mig weld so able human beings should be ok :D dont skimp on money unless you want lots of hassle forget the word ARC you want a M.I.G welder (with gas) ARC welding refers to an ancient process which is dying a slow death. Gas names vary from different dealers but for M.I.G you normally have 5% argon in a mix of CO2, but your local agent will know what you want. Personally i would go for something along the lines of a 120amp welder as it better to have too much power than not enough (like cars :D )

[Coyoteboy]

Both plain Arc and MIG, and indeed TIG are arc welding machines.
'Arc' welding as its known would be the use of rods without gas (still well used on ships..go figure:) )
MIG (Metal (Manual?) Inert Gas welding) most used for bodywork - I've never noticed any difference between argon and C02 but argon will reduce re-rusting by not altering the composition of the melt pool IIRC
TIG - forget it unless you are doing alloys or lots of stainless.

I have used plain arc, mig and oxy/acet gas welding too, I prefer the oxy/acet welding but its not very home-friendly!

JB

[NWS25]

MMA (commonly known as arc) manual metal arc
MIG-metal inert gas
TIG-tungsten inert gas
MAG-metal active gas

[Kev]

Originally posted by dobergoose
I got an HNC in welding but hadnt done any for 6 years until recently, I was utter shit:rolleyes:

I can testify to this, but i was no better.

Also id say keep sticking the current up till u blow holes, then retard it a bit.
Cos if the current is too low, it may look like its bonding the metal, but not actually doing it, which is very bad.

Kev